Des Moines Family Lawyers

Dedicated Legal Services with a Focus on Your Future

If you need trustworthy legal advice for a crisis within your family in Des Moines, Hope Law Firm is prepared to help. Since 2003, we have provided compassionate counsel and capable representation to Iowans for various family law issues.

When you are in turmoil, it’s easy to let emotions cloud your issues and make them seem impossible. Our dedicated Des Moines family lawyers can help you set your emotions aside, identify realistic goals, and implement a sound strategy for achieving those goals. With steadfast legal support from our firm, you can start planning for a more secure future. 

Call Hope Law Firm today at (515) 298-5056 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our family law attorney in Des Moines!

Dissolution of Marriage in Iowa

If you’ve reached the point where you must dissolve your marriage, it’s essential to understand your options under Iowa law. A divorce attorney from Hope Law Firm patiently explains the law and answers your questions so you can make a fully informed decision on how you’d like to proceed.

Depending on your circumstances, you could choose:

• Annulment — If your marriage was not valid at its formation, the law allows you to annul your union and treat you and your spouse like you were never married. Grounds for an annulment include one of the spouses being party to a pre-existing marriage that was not legally dissolved, lack of capacity to contract a legal marriage, and impotence at the time of the marriage.
• Divorce dissolves a valid marriage, freeing each spouse to remarry. Divorce in Iowa is strictly no-fault, so neither party has to assert grounds or allege marital misconduct. To obtain a divorce judgment, parties must resolve alimony, child custody, child support, and the division of their marital property. Processes for resolving these issues include traditional negotiations, mediation, collaborative divorce, and trial in family court.
• Legal separation — A legal separation resolves all the ancillary issues mentioned above and allows the parties to live separately but does not free the spouses to remarry. Individuals with a religious objection to divorce or those who need to stay married to remain eligible for benefits often choose legal separation.

If a defendant spouse is a resident of Iowa and able to be served personally with dissolution of marriage papers, the petitioning spouse does not need to be a resident. Otherwise, there is a one-year residency requirement before filing for divorce.

Family Law Issues Involving Children

Iowa family law is intensely concerned with the best interests of children residing within the state.

Issues that we effectively manage during, after, and outside of divorce proceedings include:

• Child custody — We help our clients obtain fair terms for parenting plans that uphold their parental rights. We manage post-divorce disputes that arise after the court has approved a parenting plan, such as interference with visitation and relocation.
• Child support — Iowa law recognizes the duty of both parents to support their children. We work to obtain fair child support orders based on the parties’ actual economic circumstances and help resolve disputes over child support payments.
• Guardianship — If you have a loved one who cannot live independently, we can help establish guardianship for their protection.
• Paternity — We represent mothers, putative fathers, and children in actions to establish paternity and subsequently resolve child support and visitation issues.
• Fathers’ rights—Although Iowa family law is gender neutral, fathers often feel that judges side unfairly with mothers in custody matters. Whenever necessary, we raise issues with the court to ensure our clients receive equal, unbiased treatment under the law.
• Adoption: We help our clients welcome children into their homes with full confidence that their new relationship is legally binding.

When you hire Hope Law Firm for your family law issues, you can rest assured that we’ll work tirelessly to achieve the desired results.

Understanding the Importance of Mediation in Family Law

Mediation offers an effective alternative to conventional litigation for settling family law disputes. At Hope Law Firm, mediation offers a more amicable and cost-effective solution for families navigating difficult transitions. Our experienced family lawyers are trained in mediation techniques, enabling them to facilitate productive discussions and help you reach mutually acceptable agreements.

Here are some advantages of opting for mediation:

• Cost-Effective: Mediation typically requires fewer hours than a court trial, leading to lower legal fees.
• Less Stressful: The mediation process is generally more relaxed and less adversarial, reducing emotional strain on all parties involved.
• Confidentiality: Unlike court proceedings, mediation sessions are private, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential.
• Control Over Outcomes: Mediation allows you to have a say in the final agreement rather than leaving decisions up to a judge.
• Faster Resolutions: Mediation often leads to quicker resolutions than the lengthy court process.

Are you considering mediation as part of your family law journey? Our dedicated team at Hope Law Firm is here to guide you through the process and help you achieve a resolution that works for you and your family.

To schedule a free consultation, call (515) 298-5056 or contact our office online. On urgent matters, we will do our best to see you within 24 hours.